Carrier Oils for CBD: MCT, Hemp Seed or Olive Oil?

When people compare CBD oils, the focus is usually on how much CBD they contain. But the carrier oil that the CBD extract is blended with matters just as much for the final product. It affects taste, texture, shelf life and how easy the oil is to handle. Here we compare the most common carrier oils: MCT oil, hemp seed oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil and avocado oil.

What is a carrier oil and why does it matter?

CBD is fat-soluble and does not dissolve in water. For the extract to blend evenly and spread through a bottle, it needs an oil as a carrier. The carrier oil makes up most of a CBD oil and affects the whole product:

• Taste: some oils are neutral, while others have a distinct character of their own.
• Texture: a thin oil is easier to drop from a pipette than a thick one.
• Shelf life: saturated fats resist oxidation better than polyunsaturated ones.
• Absorption: fat affects how the body absorbs CBD, which we cover in our article on CBD bioavailability.

MCT oil: the most common choice

MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. The oil is mainly extracted from coconut oil and consists largely of caprylic and capric acid. Because the fatty acids are saturated, MCT oil is very stable against oxidation and keeps for a long time. It is practically tasteless and odourless and has a thin texture.

• Taste: neutral
• Texture: thin and free-flowing
• Shelf life: long
• Used in: drops, capsules and skincare

That is why most CBD oils are made with MCT oil, including our own CBD oils. You can taste the hemp extract, but the oil itself adds nothing of its own.

Comparison of common carrier oils

Hemp seed oil

Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds of industrial hemp and contains omega-6 and omega-3 in a ratio of roughly 3 to 1. It has a greenish colour and a nutty, slightly grassy taste. Because it is high in polyunsaturated fat, it goes rancid faster than MCT oil and should be stored cool and dark, preferably in the fridge once opened.

Keep in mind that hemp seed oil itself contains almost no CBD, because CBD forms in the flowers and not in the seeds. We explain the difference in our article What is CBD oil?

Olive oil

Olive oil consists mostly of monounsaturated fat, above all oleic acid. It is thicker than MCT oil and has a distinct fruity and sometimes peppery taste that can overpower the aromas of the hemp extract. Its shelf life is medium if stored in the dark. Olive oil is a common choice if you want to make your own CBD oil, since most kitchens already have it.

Grapeseed oil

Grapeseed oil is pressed from grape seeds. It is light and mild in taste, but high in polyunsaturated fat and therefore has a shorter shelf life. It is sensitive to light and air and needs to be kept well sealed.

Avocado oil

Avocado oil is extracted from the flesh of the fruit and has a buttery taste and a thick texture. The cold-pressed version is green. Like olive oil, it consists mostly of monounsaturated fat and is therefore fairly stable. It is more common in skincare than in CBD drops.

Which carrier oil is best for CBD?

It depends on what you prioritise. MCT oil offers the most practical combination of neutral taste, thin texture and long shelf life, which is why it is used in most CBD oils on the market. Hemp seed oil suits those who want an oil made entirely from hemp and enjoy a nutty taste, but it needs more care in storage. Olive, grapeseed and avocado oil also work, but they have either a stronger taste or a shorter shelf life.

We explain why different CBD oils smell and taste so different in our article Why does CBD oil taste like grass?

Sources

• Callaway JC (2004). Hempseed as a nutritional resource: An overview. Euphytica, 140, 65–72.
• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Dietary reference values.